APUSG Full Terms Flashcards

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Limited Government

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Full AP US Government and Politics terms flashcard based on the Master Vocabulary List from an online pdf. It includes unit 1-5.

448 Terms

1

Limited Government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted by law, typically through a constitution.

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2

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights that every individual possesses regardless of government or social norms.

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3

John Locke

An influential Enlightenment thinker known for his ideas on natural rights and government that influenced American political thought.

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4

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules in exchange for protection of their rights.

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5

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

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6

The “Grand Committee”

A group formed during the Constitutional Convention to address issues related to representation and state interests.

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7

Declaration of Independence

A document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the thirteen colonies' separation from British rule.

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8

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States that created a weak federal government, replaced by the current Constitution.

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9

Preamble

The introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution outlining its purposes and guiding principles.

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10

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, establishing the country's framework of government.

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11

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

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12

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy emphasizing broad participation in decision-making.

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13

Pluralist Democracy

A type of democracy in which multiple groups compete for power and influence in policy-making.

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14

Elite Democracy

A democratic system in which a small number of elites hold power and influence over policy decisions.

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15

Federalist #10

An essay by James Madison arguing for the importance of a large republic in controlling factions.

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16

Brutus #1

An anti-Federalist essay arguing against the ratification of the Constitution by advocating for a more decentralized government.

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17

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government.

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18

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who favored states' rights and a weaker national government.

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19

Central Government

The primary governing authority of a political entity, usually the national government.

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20

Reserved Powers

Powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, reserved for the states and the people.

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21

Republic

A form of government in which representatives are elected to make decisions and govern on behalf of the citizens.

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22

Factions

Interest groups or political parties that may act contrary to the interests of the public.

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23

Shay’s Rebellion

An uprising in 1786 by farmers protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

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24

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a new constitution that called for representation based on population.

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25

New Jersey Plan

A proposal to create a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

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26

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

A compromise that established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in one house and equal representation in the other.

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27

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement to count three-fifths of a state's slave population for taxation and representation purposes.

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28

Slave Trade Compromise

An agreement allowing the slave trade to continue for a certain period before Congress could decide to ban it.

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29

Ex post facto law

A law that makes an act illegal after it has already been committed.

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30

Bill of attainder

Legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial.

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31

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution, responsible for electing the President and Vice President.

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32

Article IV

Part of the Constitution that outlines the responsibilities and duties of states to each other and to the federal government.

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33

Full Faith and Credit Clause

A clause in Article IV requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of all other states.

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34

Privileges and Immunities Clause

A clause in Article IV that prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

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35

Amendment Process

The procedure outlined in the Constitution for making changes or additions to the document.

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36

Article V

The section of the Constitution that outlines the process for amending the Constitution.

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37

Article VI

The section establishing the supremacy of the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties over state laws.

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38

Article VII

The section that details the process for ratification of the Constitution.

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39

Ratification

The formal approval process for the Constitution or its amendments.

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40

Checks and Balances

A system in which different branches of government are empowered to prevent actions by other branches.

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41

Separation of Powers

A political doctrine that divides government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions.

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42

Federalist #51

An essay written by James Madison arguing for the need for separation of powers and checks and balances.

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43

Tyranny of the Majority

A situation in which a majority uses its power to suppress the rights or interests of a minority.

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44

Multiple policy access points

Opportunities within the political system for interest groups to influence policy.

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45

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body charges a government official with misconduct.

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46

Exclusive powers

Powers reserved solely for the national government or the states.

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47

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments.

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48

Federal Balance of Power

The distribution of power between the national and state governments.

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49

Dual Federalism

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain independent and exercise their powers separately.

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50

“Layer Cake” Federalism

A metaphor describing dual federalism, emphasizing clear distinctions between state and federal authority.

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51

Cooperative Federalism

A system in which both the national and state governments work together to solve problems.

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52

“Marble Cake” Federalism

A metaphor describing cooperative federalism, emphasizing the blending of federal and state government functions.

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53

Fiscal Federalism

The financial relationships between different levels of government, particularly relating to allocation of resources.

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54

Grants

Funds provided by one level of government to another, typically for specific purposes.

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55

Incentives

Factors that motivate or influence actions or decisions.

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56

Conditions-of-aid

Rules set by the federal government that states must follow to receive federal funding.

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57

Revenue Sharing

The distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.

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58

Mandates

Requirements placed on states or local governments to comply with federal rules and regulations.

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59

Clean Air Act (1970)

A comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.

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60

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Legislation that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life.

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61

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose or category of spending.

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62

Block Grants

Federal funds provided to states for broad purposes with few restrictions on how the money is spent.

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63

Tenth Amendment

The constitutional amendment that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

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64

Commerce Clause

The constitutional provision that grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, states, and Indian tribes.

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65

Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause in the Constitution granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.

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66

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution.

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67

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but implied through the interpretation of the enumerated powers.

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68

Inherent Powers

Powers that are not enumerated but are considered necessary for the functioning of the government.

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69

State Sovereignty

The concept that states have the right to govern themselves without outside interference.

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70

Supreme Court of the United States

The highest court in the federal judiciary, responsible for interpreting the Constitution.

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71

Statute

A formal written enactment of a legislative authority.

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72

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A landmark Supreme Court case that established federal superiority over the states and confirmed the implied powers of Congress.

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73

United States v. Lopez (1995)

A Supreme Court case that limited Congress’s authority under the Commerce Clause.

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74

Institutions of Government

The established structures of government through which authority is exercised.

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75

Article I

The section of the Constitution that establishes the legislative branch of the federal government.

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76

Bicameral

A legislative structure that consists of two chambers or houses.

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77

Constituency

The residents of a congressional district that a representative serves.

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78

Coalition-building

The process of bringing together various interest groups to achieve a common goal.

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79

Revenue

The income generated from taxes and other sources that the government uses to fund its operations.

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80

Congressional Committee

A subgroup within Congress that focuses on specific areas of legislation.

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81

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in Congress responsible for overseeing specific policy areas.

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82

Select Committee

A temporary committee established for a specific purpose.

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83

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

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84

Joint Committee

A committee composed of members from both the House and Senate.

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85

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for maintaining order and overseeing proceedings.

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86

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States, who serves as the presiding officer of the Senate.

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87

President Pro Tempore

A senior member of the Senate who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

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88

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

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89

Minority Leader

The head of the minority party in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

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90

Majority Whip

A party leader in Congress who assists the majority leader in managing the party's legislative program.

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91

Minority Whip

A party leader who assists the minority leader in managing the minority party's legislative program.

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92

Committee Chairperson

The member of Congress who leads a committee and oversees its operations.

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93

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by extending debate.

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94

Cloture

A procedure for ending a filibuster and bringing a debate to a close in the Senate.

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95

Quorum

The minimum number of members required to conduct business in a legislative body.

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96

Hold

A procedural action in the Senate that prevents a motion from being brought to the floor.

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97

Unanimous consent

An agreement in the Senate or House that allows for a measure to be acted upon without objection.

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98

Rules Committee

A committee in the House of Representatives responsible for determining the rules for debate on proposed legislation.

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99

Committee of the Whole

A committee that includes all members of the House, meeting to consider important issues.

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100

Discharge Petition

A petition that can bring a bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote.

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